Does Travel Stress You Out?

It was some time last year, while listening to Maisie Hill’s podcast: Period Power, that I realized I may be a highly sensitive person or HSP. Easily stressed, especially in situations where I’m not at home. Unrelentingly irritated by loud or strange sounds. Internally anguished by certain smells, bright lights, or textures. The constant need to know what I’m getting into and plan where the entrance and exits are. Taking on other people’s moods, especially when there are numerous energies in a room and feeling exhausted by that. Is this you too?

If you know me, you’re probably laughing, “Of course you are highly sensitive Alex!” And most of you probably think I’ve done a pretty great job of “masking”. I agree. I have with a lifetime of practice, trying to be accepted and a general family motto of “rub some dirt on it”.

15-20% of the population are thought to be highly sensitive.

What does it mean to be a Highly Sensitive Person? Well, you can take the test here and find out if you are. When I took it last year, I remember answering yes to nearly every question. And despite feeling a little defensive around my self-diagnosis, I also felt empowered with knowledge.

I started to notice all of the daily things that sent me into a dis-regulated state. Then I started to learn how to make myself more comfortable in situations I have never been comfortable in. I did more research and found more information on high sensitivity and neurodivergence. The topic is growing with information, thank goodness. And I hope to be progressing that subject myself by providing travel tips for people like me!

I started offering HSP Travel tips on my instagram and my tiktok for general travel and specific places.

But you probably came here for the title, so if travel stresses you out, here are my BEST tips!

Find Your Triggers

Which of the 5 senses is your biggest issue?

For me, it’s sound! I have bat hearing and everything sounds louder to me than the average person. For this, I invested in noise reduction ear plugs. They don’t block the sound, they filter it so you can still hear people talking to you with clarity. They dull the background noise. I don’t go anywhere without my noise-reducing ear plugs and I take them out nearly every day without shame!

If yours is light, consider bringing some dark sunglasses with you, or maybe a hat.

For smell, the pandemic has been quite useful because you can wear a cloth mask just about anywhere without strange looks.

For touch, I like to keep a familiar object with me that I like to hold for a soothing effect like a crystal. To not be totally weird, I wear an obsidian necklace that I’ll hold onto when I need it. I also focus on clothing that has textures I enjoy like wool, cashmere, and whatever else soft.

Taste– that’s on you. Haha. But on this note, make sure you nourish yourself so you don’t become hangry. I have this problem a lot and I know I’m not the only one. Being hangry can send you into a stress state.

Give Yourself Space

This one is difficult for me because I have fear of missing out and I like to be social. But I definitely have a social battery and when it runs out, I become a monster. Make sure to take some time and space for yourself and on that note…

Rest

Rest is so important to restore your battery. And rest without GUILT otherwise, it doesn’t count 🙂

Plan

Planning can alleviate a lot of unknowns, especially with travel. This is why I love planning so much, and love to help others plan. If you don’t like to plan, hire me and I’ll do the legwork for you so you can relax and not worry. I’m very good at providing all the information you may need to know what to expect on your journey (mostly because I do it for myself all the time.)

There are loads more tips, but you’ll just have to follow along for more! Did you know you were highly sensitive? Did this help? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to know if my information is hitting the right audience! 🙂

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